Autumn Colour Trips 2026
From the Scottish Highlands to New England, autumn turns whole countries red and gold and we've got a small group heading there. Choose your destination, meet your WeRoaders and let a Group Leader handle the rest.
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What are autumn colours & Leaf Peeping
Autumn colours, leaf peeping, Indian summer: what's the difference?
Autumn colours It's the few weeks each year when deciduous trees stop making chlorophyll and their leaves turn yellow, orange and red before they fall. Cold nights, sunny days and not too much rain: get that combination and you get the good stuff.
Leaf peeping Leaf peeping is what Americans call going out specifically to look at those leaves and yes, it's a real, organised, slightly obsessive pastime over there. It's catching on here too, which is roughly what this page is about.
When is the best time for autumn colours?
New England, USALate September – mid-October
Scotland & the UKMid-October – early November
Italian DolomitesEarly – mid-October
GermanyMid-October – early November
FranceMid-October – early November
SpainLate October – mid-November
Peak colour shifts by a week or two every year depending on the summer. If your dates are fixed, aim for the middle of the window.
Autumn colours in the UK
You don't need a long-haul flight for this one. Autumn foliage in the UK peaks later than most of Europe: from mid-October the Highlands, Perthshire and the Trossachs go copper and gold, Snowdonia turns amber and the Lake District does that thing where the fells reflect in the water and everyone stops talking. Scotland gets the best of it: big native woodland, low light, and castles that look unfairly good against orange trees.
Where to go? Perthshire, Scotland, the Trossachs & Loch Lomon near Glasgow, Snowdonia in Wales and the Lake District.
Autumn colours in New England, USA
This is the one leaf peeping was invented for. Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine turn scarlet in late September, and by mid-October the whole of New England is a 500-mile stretch of red maple, white church spires and diners selling apple cider doughnuts. It peaks earlier than anywhere in Europe, so it's the trip to plan first.
Where to go? Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Upstate New York, the Hudson Valley and the Catskills.
Autumn colours in Italy
Italy does autumn in two acts. First the Dolomites in early October, when the larch forests go gold against grey rock and the first snow lands on the peaks above. Then the valleys: Tuscany, Umbria and Trentino through late October and into November, vineyards turning at the same time as the wine harvest and the truffle season.
Where to go? The Dolomites, Trentino, Tuscany & Umbria.
Autumn colours in Europe
Autumn colours in Spain
Europe's latest autumn: the beech forests of Navarre and Asturias hold their colour into mid-November, long after the Alps have dropped theirs.
Autumn colours in France
Vineyards and forest at the same time: Alsace, Burgundy and the Loire turn through late October, right as the harvest wraps up.
Autumn colours in Germany
Forest country: the Black Forest, Bavaria and the Rhine valley stay colourful into early November and Oktoberfest and the Christmas markets sit either side of it.
Tips for chasing the foliage
Everything you need to know about WeRoad trips
How does WeRoad work?
Choose your trip based on departure dates, destinations, and travel mood, and... book it! Once you get the email confirming your trip, book your round-trip flights to the destination – nope, they're not included in the package, we like flexibility! 15 days before departure, the Group Leader will create a WhatsApp group so you can start getting to know your future travel buddies. You're all set: enjoy your WeRoad trip! You'll share incredible experiences, discover local culture, and live every minute to the fullest – you'll probably shed a tear or two when it's time to say goodbye, but that's totally normal! (To learn more about how it works, read here!)
Is the flight included?
Flights are not included, we love flexibility! This way you have the total freedom to choose which airport to depart from, which airline to fly with, how many stops to make, and, if you wish, to stay a few extra days at your destination. Obviously, we can help you choose them (here for flight purchase support) and what’s more, we have many discounts you can use with some of the major airlines.
Are there any age limits?
Yep, we have age limits. We organise groups split into different age groups. It won't be hard to find the perfect WeRoad for you!
Where can you see the best autumn colours?
New England is the benchmark: Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine turn scarlet from late September, earlier and more intensely than anywhere in Europe. Closer to home, Scotland's Perthshire and Highlands peak from mid-October, and the Italian Dolomites turn gold in the first half of the month. If your dates are late, northern Spain holds its colour into mid-November.
When is the best time for autumn colours?
It depends where you go, and it moves from north to south:
DestinationPeakNew England, USALate September – mid-OctoberItalian DolomitesEarly – mid-OctoberScotland & the UKMid-October – early NovemberGermany & FranceMid-October – early NovemberNorthern SpainLate October – mid-November
Peak colour shifts by a week or two each year, so aim for the middle of the window rather than the edges.
What is leaf peeping?
Leaf peeping is travelling somewhere specifically to see the autumn colours — a drive, a hike or a whole trip built around the few weeks when the leaves turn. The term comes from New England, where it's practically a sport, and it's increasingly used here too. A "leaf peeper", inevitably, is someone doing it.
What are the best places to see autumn colours in the UK?
Scotland gets the best of it, but there's more than you'd think:
Perthshire, Scotland — "Big Tree Country": the densest old broadleaf woodland in the UK, peaking mid to late October
The Trossachs & Loch Lomond — colour reflected in the lochs, an hour from Glasgow
The Cairngorms — native birch and Scots pine, and the earliest colour in Britain
Snowdonia, Wales — oak and beech valleys, best walked from late October
The Lake District — the classic. Go midweek
The Chilterns & the New Forest — the southern option, and the last to turn, into early November
What are the best autumn breaks in Europe?
For a long weekend, Edinburgh in late October: castles, short days and the colour still on the trees. For a full week, the Dolomites in early October — golden larch forests, the first snow on the peaks, and the best hiking of the year. If you want autumn plus something else, Bavaria pairs it with Oktoberfest and France pairs it with the wine harvest. All of them run as small-group departures, so you can book one on your own and not travel alone.